Castle of Diósgyor (Diósgyori Vár)

The Castle of Diósgyor (Diósgyori Vár) was constructed in the 12th century by King Bela IV and reached its zenith during the reign of King Louis the Great, thanks to its strategic position near the road connecting Hungary and Poland. The castle, once encircled by a four-meter-deep moat, featured an inner courtyard with four corner towers and a Knights’ Hall measuring 25 meters long and 13 meters wide. Known as ‘the Castle of Queens’ because it served as an engagement gift for six Hungarian queens, the structure fell into disrepair by the end of the 17th century. In 2014, it was fully rebuilt, with rooms and furnishings restored to their medieval appearance. Today, visitors can experience plays that bring the Middle Ages to life, historical reenactments, and the annual Kalaka Folk Festival each July. The outer castle houses one of the largest waxworks exhibitions in central Europe, and a small mint on the ground floor allows tourists to create commemorative coins.